the A8’s autonomous features translate as the “AI traffic jam pilot,” meaning the car can take control of the driving in slow-moving traffic at up to 60 kilometers per hour. The system is activated by a button on the center console, and it can take over acceleration, braking, steering, and starting from a dead-stop, all without the driver paying attention.

Let that sink in for a second. Using a combination of LIDAR (another first for a production car, Audi claims), a front-facing camera, radar, and ultrasonic sensors, Audi says the A8 is capable of driving all by itself at speeds of up to 37 mph. There are a couple caveats, obviously. The traffic jam pilot only works on highways with a physical barrier separating oncoming traffic, and the use of the system is subject to the laws of whichever jurisdiction you’re driving through. So bone up on the rules of the road before pressing that button.

Quote:

Audi is saying that drivers can take their hands off the steering wheel “permanently” while the traffic jam pilot is engaged, which is sure to raise concerns from regulators and safety advocates.

I wonder how insurance companies will respond. If they will insure you if your auto pilot feature gets in a wreck

As slippery as possible.

As I've said from the beginning of conversation on autonomous vehicles, widespread implementation will depend upon early litigation. The day will come when we'll have to pay more in car insurance for the "right" to drive our own vehicles ourselves, but that's a way off yet.